Elizabeth Shown Mills,&nbsp;CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA has been recognized as "the genealogist who has had the greatest impact on American genealogy in the post-Roots era."

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Elizabeth Shown Mills,&nbsp;[[Acronyms and Abbreviations|CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA]] has been recognized as "the genealogist who has had the greatest impact on American genealogy in the post-Roots era." Among her many notable accomplishments, she edited the ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly'' for 16 years.<br>

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Mills pioneered research methodology classes for genealogy courses. Her Advanced Research Methodology track, launched in 1986 at Samford's Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, became the standard approach used by many genealogical instructors. Rather than simply exposing students to sources and explaining where to find them, Mills began to teach students "how to use those records to wring every clue from them and to piece together bits and shards of evidence that, by themselves, mean nothing at all; yet, ''together'', they resolve the toughest stalemate."<ref>Email communication, Elizabeth Shown Mills to Nathan W. Murphy, 27 December 2011.</ref>

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In her lectures, Mills stresses the importance of not only searching records for an ancestor's surname, but also paying attention to documents concerning the ancestor's "FAN Club" ('''F'''riends, '''A'''ssociates, '''N'''eighbors). Learning more about these individuals is a great way to discover more about your direct lineage, as they will often be listed together in deeds, wills, road orders, etc., which will help you build a stronger case about the relationships among your direct family.

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In her instruction, Mills stresses the importance of the [[Genealogical Proof Standard]]. She has sought to establish conventions for citing genealogical sources. She has researched and published extensively about people on the margins of American society including slaves, women, free blacks, Indians, mixed-race settlers, and gypsies.<br>

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Mills has explored the oft-strained relationship between historians and genealogists in the United States. By raising standards in the genealogical community, she has helped professional genealogists gain respect in historical circles.<br>

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She points out the significance of not only searching records for an ancestor's surname, but also paying attention to documents about the ancestor's [[Your Ancestor Had A FAN Club|"FAN Club"]] ('''F'''riends, '''A'''ssociates, '''N'''eighbors), thereby broadening the scope of research beyond an individual to the community and nation where he or she lived. Learning more about an ancestor's FAN&nbsp;Club is a great way to discover new information about your direct ancestry, as these people are often listed together in deeds, wills, court cases, road orders, etc., and help you build a stronger case about relationships in your own family.<br>

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She has edited colonial records from Louisiana and Mississippi created during the periods of French and Spanish rule, including ''Natchitoches Colonials'', which draws together colonial censuses, military records, and tax lists found in diverse American, Cuban, Spanish, and French archives to reconstruct a clearer picture of eighteenth-century frontier settlers.<br>

A partial resume includes:

A partial resume includes:

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*Editor, ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly''

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*Editor, ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly'' (16 years)

*President, The American Society of Genealogists

*President, The American Society of Genealogists

*President, Board for&nbsp;Certification of Genealogists

*President, Board for&nbsp;Certification of Genealogists

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*Faculty, National Institute on Genealogical Research

*Faculty, National Institute on Genealogical Research

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In 2011, Elizabeth Shown Mills launched an academic website ''[http://www.historicpathways.com/ Historic Pathways] ''that houses digitized versions of articles she has published. The site broadcasts her fascinating and important work to a worldwide audience.

*“''Isle of Canes'' and Issues of Conscience: Master-Slave Sexual Dynamics and Slaveholding by Free People of Color.” ''Between Two Worlds: A Special Issue of The Southern Quarterly: A Journal of the Arts in the South'', Vol. 43 (Winter 2006): 158–75. Digital image. Elizabeth Shown Mills, [http://www.historicpathways.com/articles.html ''Historic Pathways'']. Accessed 27 December 2011.<br>

Revision as of 18:53, 7 July 2012

Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA has been recognized as "the genealogist who has had the greatest impact on American genealogy in the post-Roots era." Among her many notable accomplishments, she edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly for 16 years.

Mills pioneered research methodology classes for genealogy courses. Her Advanced Research Methodology track, launched in 1986 at Samford's Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, became the standard approach used by many genealogical instructors. Rather than simply exposing students to sources and explaining where to find them, Mills began to teach students "how to use those records to wring every clue from them and to piece together bits and shards of evidence that, by themselves, mean nothing at all; yet, together, they resolve the toughest stalemate."[1]

In her instruction, Mills stresses the importance of the Genealogical Proof Standard. She has sought to establish conventions for citing genealogical sources. She has researched and published extensively about people on the margins of American society including slaves, women, free blacks, Indians, mixed-race settlers, and gypsies.

Mills has explored the oft-strained relationship between historians and genealogists in the United States. By raising standards in the genealogical community, she has helped professional genealogists gain respect in historical circles.

She points out the significance of not only searching records for an ancestor's surname, but also paying attention to documents about the ancestor's "FAN Club" (Friends, Associates, Neighbors), thereby broadening the scope of research beyond an individual to the community and nation where he or she lived. Learning more about an ancestor's FAN Club is a great way to discover new information about your direct ancestry, as these people are often listed together in deeds, wills, court cases, road orders, etc., and help you build a stronger case about relationships in your own family.

She has edited colonial records from Louisiana and Mississippi created during the periods of French and Spanish rule, including Natchitoches Colonials, which draws together colonial censuses, military records, and tax lists found in diverse American, Cuban, Spanish, and French archives to reconstruct a clearer picture of eighteenth-century frontier settlers.

A partial resume includes:

Editor, National Genealogical Society Quarterly (16 years)

President, The American Society of Genealogists

President, Board for Certification of Genealogists

Faculty, Samford University Library Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research

Faculty, National Institute on Genealogical Research

In 2011, Elizabeth Shown Mills launched an academic website Historic Pathwaysthat houses digitized versions of articles she has published. The site broadcasts her fascinating and important work to a worldwide audience.

“Bridging the Historic Divide: Family History and ‘Academic’ History.” History and Genealogy: Why Not Both? Papers from the Midwestern Roots Conference. Indiana University Department of History. Indiana Magazine of History: Online Resources. PDF. Elizabeth Shown Mills, Historic Pathways. Accessed 27 December 2011.

“Isle of Canes and Issues of Conscience: Master-Slave Sexual Dynamics and Slaveholding by Free People of Color.” Between Two Worlds: A Special Issue of The Southern Quarterly: A Journal of the Arts in the South, Vol. 43 (Winter 2006): 158–75. Digital image. Elizabeth Shown Mills, Historic Pathways. Accessed 27 December 2011.